Disclaimers - Buffy, Willow and any other characters from the series belong to Joss Whedon & Mutant Enemy. I'm just borrowing them for a while.

Chapter 1

Willow turned away from her computer screen to give her eyes a much deserved rest, she looked over at the couch to check on her best friend and lover, Buffy. The Slayer had fallen asleep on Giles couch again. Willow felt a slight twinge of guilt knowing that she was the reason Buffy was sprawled here on the couch instead of in her own warm comfortable bed next door in their townhouse.

She'd tried many times before to get her to go on home to bed, but Buffy always mumbled something about not wanting to be alone any more and refused to leave until Willow did. Willow noticed a slightly mischievous smile on the sleeping girl's lips.

<I wonder what's going on inside that pretty head.> Willow thought <Something wickedly fun no doubt.>

In the time since they had returned from Teach Tu Dannan, both found that they simply couldn't get enough of each other. Even now, as tired as she was, watching Buffy sleep Willow practically ached to take her blonde haired lover in her arms and make love right there on Giles couch. <Bad Willow, bad, bad Willow> she scolded herself. You must let the poor girl rest sometime or you'll wear her out and then what would you do?>

Willow sighed not wanting to ever think of life without Buffy. She couldn't resist one more look at her before returning to work. <Goddess, she is so beautiful.> Willow thought as the longing returned, <I can't believe she's mine at last.>

Willow knew the other reason Buffy was so tired. She'd found out that last night was one of Willow's sabats, Litha, the summer solstice, and she had insisted on joining Willow in the ritual that had lasted until shortly before dawn. As always after a celebrating a ritual Willow was energized, but poor Buffy was completely worn out. As she turned back to her computer, Willow heard Giles mumbling something to himself in his study. He too was deeply immersed in his own research.

Ever since they had shown up on his door step with their gifts from Brigit, Morrigan, and Lugh, Giles had been like a kid in a candy store. First he went to work translating the runes, and writings on the weapons and Willow's staff. After finishing that he gathered the staff, the wooden dagger, and the rings and took them all to a jeweler he knew to have the stones identified and appraised.

All four of the large green stones turned out to be very rare very valuable emeralds and the four smaller red stones in the hilt of the dagger were nearly flawless blood rubies. The man had tried everything to get Giles to sell them  but he'd steadfastly refused. Once he had finished with all he could find on those artifacts, he turned to the one task he knew he'd love, the book. He became obsessed with it he was unable to stop himself, if it hadn't been for Buffy and Willow he would have starved to death studying that book.

Try as she might Willow was unable to fault him for his obsession, it had saved Buffy's life more than once. Willow had to smile when she thought of the look on his face when he came charging out of the study, to share

his findings the first time.

*****"I can not believe this it's just so bloody marvelous, Giles kept saying pacing too excited to sit. "After god knows how long, I am the first watcher to ever see this and since we have broken off contact with the council I can't even tell them about it."

He translated some more then began muttering.

"This is just fantastic." he said to himself then turned to the two girls that were staring at him like he was insane. "Do you have any idea what this is?"

"If we knew that then why would we need you." Buffy said sarcastically, she'd had a bad day in class.

Some times she wondered if 'coming out' was worth all the trouble but, one look at Willow always answered that question.

"Buffy!" Willow scolded "Be nice, Giles isn't the one you're mad at."

"Right, sorry Giles, my bad." Buffy apologized

Giles looked at Buffy surprised, now he knew Willow was good for her, she had never apologized before.

"Translating these kinds of things is your specialty Giles," Willow continued, "Buffy and I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to even begin. You are the one that figured out that my staff was made specifically for me, to focus and amplify my powers, you learned that the dirks were once called the 'Spurs of Erin' and that the wooden dagger was a Pictish artifact known as 'Demon Claw', all very helpful information in finding out their uses and now you have found out something about the origins of the book. I'm not surprised Brigit said you were the one to turn to. We trust you completely."

"Oh..well...yes..I appreciate your trust." Giles stumbled, embarrassed by the young witch's praise, he cleared his throat then continued "Getting back to the book, I haven't gotten much past the title and a few lines here and there, but from what I gather, what you girls brought home is the 'Book of Souls'." He paused expecting a reaction when none was forth coming he explained further.

"Well I suppose that would mean nothing to you, but believe me this is a major find." He lectured, "It was the repository for much of the Druid lore, their grimoire so to speak. It is even said that it holds the secrets of creation and making thus also their opposites."

There was a hiss as Willow drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth.

"Exactly so." Giles said looking at the young witch over the top of his glasses. "The power these people have entrusted into your hands is unfathomable. Their confidence and trust in you is unbelievably strong. The last time anyone heard of this book being seen was before the time of King Arthur and the Christian incursion into Ireland. It was said to have been returned to the gods and most scholars believed it was either destroyed or that it never existed in the first place. I guess now we know the truth." *****

Giles was in watcher heaven. With the help of Willow's expertise the two of them came up with a program to help him translate the various languages used in the book. Every day he found some new medicine spell or piece of nformation that had him running around all excited.

Soon between Willow being 'Research Girl' on her computer and Giles progress with the 'Book of Souls' they'd pretty much learned just about everything they wanted to know about the gifts and their uses, all that is except the rings. This soon became Willow's obsession, stopping only to eat or patrol with Buffy, Willow spent nearly every waking moment searching any historical data base she could find, but still no luck.

She finally got so bad that Buffy had suggested that she go to the goddess either for help or at least some perspective on the subject. Seeing no other available option Willow had done just that last night. Yet here she was again, with her nose buried in her computer, searching. <I guess sometimes the answer is no.> she thought discouraged.

At that moment an accidental missed keystroke placed her in a section of the Vatican library she'd never been in before. It was the forbidden books section, Willow had picked up rumors about this area but had never been able to find it, until now. As she read through the thousands of files, Willow came across the mention of a an ancient sect of Celtic female warriors called 'Sisters of the Soul. Excited and thanking the goddess Willow began searching and cross referencing her way into several deeply encrypted files that the Church considered so heathen and so blasphemous that only the most dedicated priests were allowed to see them.

Delving deep into these files Willow finally found an eyewitness account over one thousand years old telling of the sect and many of the ceremonies and rites they practiced. It was here that Willow learned the purpose of the rings and where to look in the 'Book of Souls' to find the details. It was also here she learned the truth behind the disappearance of the sect. Because the ceremony called upon ancient gods and was the mating of two people of the same sex, the Church declared it blasphemous and an obscenity in the eyes of their god. So they began a systematic campaign to wipe out all knowledge of the sect, including hiring assassins to murder the women.

Tears were in Willow's eyes as she realized this was a record of hypocrisy and deceit as old as time but the idea of someone supposedly on the side of the Light committing the atrocities she was reading about was unforgivable. Especially when it was women of the same caliber as their friends Brigit and Morrigan. <Those Bastards!!> Willow said to herself <I hope they're burning in their own private hell!>

The more Willow read the angrier she became until, after she copied all the information, Willow fed a virus she'd created into the system that would not only cover her tracks but it would also destroy everything in the files she'd been reading if not that entire section of their library including the hard drive. That done Willow gathered the print outs and went to show Giles.

Chapter 2

"You did what?" Giles asked angrily when Willow told him what she had done to the Vatican's library files. "Why would you do that? How could you take that kind of chance? What if they trace your virus back here? I just wish you had put a little more thought into it or at least informed me before you acted so rashly. Honestly Willow I don't know what to think, this is completely out of character for you. "

Willow sat calmly and let the over protective ex-watcher rant until he was finished and glaring at her waiting for her answer. She knew he was really mad, she could see the vein throbbing on his right temple and that was usually reserved for the Slayer.

"Calm down Giles before you hurt yourself." she said quietly yet firmly

<She's treating me like a petulant child.> Giles thought.

He sat down behind the desk with a huff. She smiled at him sweetly.

"That's much better." Willow said patiently I don't know what your problem is. It's not like I'm some rank amateur at this, I took precautions. First I went through so many different connections Ma Bell and all her little baby Bells couldn't trace me. Second the virus destroys all evidence of my incursion along with the files including the hard drive, they'll never be able to retrieve that information again, and third I did it for all those women the Church had murdered just because they had different beliefs and had the good fortune to find someone they loved, and stayed with them no matter what."

"Then they bragged about it Giles read it, that's all those records are is some old bigot of a priest bragging about how many blameless women he personally had murdered. Hell, their lucky I didn't bring the whole place down on them. Besides you know how the Vatican works they'd probably come after Buffy and me if they thought they'd get away with it."

Faced with her logic and determination Giles had no alternative but to calm himself and read the information she'd brought him. "This is ghastly" he muttered as he read the account. "How could they possibly justify this?"

"You see my point." Willow said softly "Those bastards had dozens of innocent women slaughtered in the name  of religious purity and the Church not only condoned it, the priests responsible were given rewards and promotions for their 'good works'. I know what I did was a little rash but, I just couldn't let those men be remembered by history as heroes of the

faith, so I've done my best to see that history doesn't remember them at all."

"Alright Willow, while I can't condone your methods," Giles said holding up his hand to stop the protest forming on her lips "I do have to agree it was at least a logical response. My only comment is that this is not the last time you will run into this kind of thing and the next time you feel the urge to take action please consult me before you do anything and we might come up with a more appropriate response. One that wont deprive the world of valuable historical

records."

"Okay I can live with that." Willow agreed "Now let's get to work on the section of the book that's mentioned here, and see what's next on my schedule so I can clear my calendar,"

She was joking but as she read it suddenly became unfunny. Giles finished the section shortly after she did and took off his glasses and began rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Well that was certainly interesting." he said a little sarcastically, "I will be looking forward to seeing how you handle this."

<Now he shows a sense of humor> Willow thought.

"Thanks a lot," Willow shot back. "You mean no words of wisdom from the all mighty, all knowing watcher?"

"No, I am afraid you are on your own for this one." Giles answered with a slight smile "This is one Slayer/Willow situation that falls far outside my duties and way beyond my experience."

"Oh great, nothing quite so useless as a useless watcher." Willow grumbled "Can I at least count on your cooperation?"

Giles nodded his head trying to keep from laughing at Willow's newest dilemma.

"Good" Willow said thoughtfully then she knew just the right person to talk to. "Alright Mr. laugh at the confused witch guy, then not a word to anyone and I mean anyone."

He agreed quickly and satisfied Willow hurried out to find Buffy's mother. Once Willow tracked down Joyce Summers and explained everything to her she suggested that they get Willow's mother on board for this situation.

Willow's mother wasn't as comfortable with her daughter's alternative lifestyle as her husband and Joyce, but this problem was something she could understand, in theory at least. She jumped in with both feet and was a veritable fountain of information. Arrangements were coming along nicely when Willow decided it was time to 'talk' to Buffy.

At Willow's insistence Buffy took a night off from patrol and wearing her best dress went to meet Willow at their favorite Italian restaurant. The owner of the restaurant had taken a liking to the couple and as soon as he saw Buffy come through the front door he hurried over and gave her a major bear type hug nearly crushing the breath out of her.

"Please Mr. Lipari, can't breath," Buffy gasped.

"Your little Willow is waiting for you." the man said setting her down and releasing her "If you'll

just follow me I'll take you to her."

"Sure thing Mr. Lipari." She said mystified and noticing the huge grin plastered on his face. "Say, just between you and me, any idea what's going on?"

"Oh no Buffy." he answered "I've been sworn to absolute secrecy. Willow would skin me alive if I told you."

"Okay we wouldn't want that." she chuckled "Who'd make my canolli if something happened to you. I couldn't' eat anyone elses after tasting yours."

"You are too kind" he said truly flattered then the grin reappeared, "But I'm still not telling you. Now come along Ms. Willow is waiting."

The friendly man led her through the main dinning area but instead of going to their favorite table he led her to the door of one of the private dinning rooms. When she entered it took her breath away, the only illumination in the room were dozens of flickering candles and standing next to the only table was Willow. She was a vision in an emerald green silk dress it was obvious that she'd been to the salon, looking at her Buffy could feel that familiar ache of longing deep in her soul.     

Willow motioned to Buffy to come to the table and held her chair while she sat down. Unable to resist Willow leaned down and lightly brushed her lips against the soft skin of Buffy's neck.

"Oh god Wills." Buffy moaned trying to urge her to continue but Willow straightened up and went to her own chair directly across from Buffy.

There was a single white rose next to Buffy's plate, she held it to her nose and slowly inhaled it's fragrance. She looked over the top of the rose and smiled at the way Willow was watching her every move.

Mr Lipari himself served their meal that they ate in complete silence, their eyes speaking volumes across the table in a language only they understood. Finally as they were finishing their desert (Mr Lipari's famous canolli, Buffy's favorite) Buffy's curiosity got the better of her.

"Alright my little witchy girl," Buffy began,as she ran the tip of one fingernail gently over the back of Willow's hand, "What's going on here?"

"Why Slayer what ever do you mean?" Willow said with mock innocence, "I'm just out to dinner with my bestest gal."

"Right, " Buffy said only semi playfully "I'll tell you what, I'll go on home now and when your ready to let me in on the secret that's where I'll be." She started to rise but Willow grabbed her

wrist to stop her, Buffy looked into those pleading eyes and sat back down knowing she was lost.

"Please don't leave Buffy." Willow's voice was strained "I promise you'll understand real soon."

"As you wish." Buffy said softly "It's just I'm not a patient person, life's too short, especially a Slayer's life."

"Don't" Willow said closing her eyes trying to stop the tears. "Please don't say that."

Seeing the hurt she'd inadvertently caused Willow, Buffy went around the table and cradled the weeping girl's head.

<Geez Summers way to go> Buffy thought, mentally kicking herself <Some day I just gotta learn to shut up.>

"Don't cry Wills " Buffy said in a frightened almost little girl voice. "It was a mean thing to say, I'm sorry I didn't say it to hurt you."

Willow looked into Buffy's clear blue eyes and felt herself drawn into their depths.

"It's alright honey, really" Willow reassured her. "It's just that I don't want to think about that tonight. Tonight is for better, more optimistic things. Now please go back and sit down."

Buffy did as Willow requested and Willow reached over and took Buffy's hand. They gazed into each other's eyes and for a moment time ceased to exist.

"Buffy," when Willow said her name like that it almost sounded like she was praying "I guess it's time to tell you why I wanted to meet you here tonight."

"Well to be honest, I'm getting a little curious." Buffy answered her I mean aside from the good food and the pleasant company not to mention a welcome night off, I figured there had to be

some thing going on."

"It's just that well I found something that day after Litha, while you were asleep and it's got me thinking." Willow started holding on to Buffy's hand tightly "I know we've just got done telling everyone about us and after all we've been through with that and I know that logic and common sense would dictate tat we 'lay low' and not do any thing to call attention to ourselves at least until tings settle down."

"Okay that's kinda the way I figured." Buffy interrupted but Willow held up her hand to stop her.

"Like I was saying, I've come across some disturbing information that has made me rethink that idea." Willow continued "What I've found has made me think about how short life can be and how easy it is for some outside force to make that life even shorter.

My greatest fear has always been to leave this life with too many regrets. Like everyone I have many things that I regret that it's too late to do anything about but I've decided that we...you and I..we...our relationship is not going to be one of those regrets."

<Oh god she's leaving me!> Buffy thought, she felt an icy dagger of fear pierce her heart. <I've done something wrong, I've been to clingy.>

Willow saw the stricken look cross Buffy's face and hurried to reassure her. "I don't mean I want out." Willow clarified quickly "It's just that what I want to do doesn't make any sense. I mean we're in a pretty good place right now and most people would be happy to sit back and relax, but we're not most people."

"Ain't it the truth." Buffy snorted despite the seriousness of the moment.

"I guess the best way to explain this is to tell you what I've found." Willow told Buffy everything she'd found about the Sisters of the Soul and how they were persecuted and murdered by minions of the church until there were only two left and the legend that said the last two were rescued by the gods and taken still living to paradise to become gods themselves.

"I think you can figure out who those last two sisters were." Willow added

"Yeah I can." Buffy said tears flowing unchecked from her eyes.

"Like I said I've found out a lot." Willow said kissing Buffy's hand "One of the things I've learned is that when two sisters are united they go through certain ceremonies.  One is like a wedding with family and friends so that everyone can celebrate the joining of souls. The second is a ritual of joining with only their closest friends attending. Ever since I've found out about I've been running around trying to set this up and I've gotten to the point where I can't go any farther without you."

Willow stopped and looked deep into Buffy's eyes. Then she got up, came around the table and dropped to her knees beside Buffy and looked up at the angelic face she loved so much. "I guess the best way to say what I'm trying to say is," Willow said her voice trembling with pent up emotion "I love you Buffy Summers, will you marry me?"

Buffy was speechless, she'd never figured on this. Her mind was completely out of control her thoughts swirling and jumbled, she couldn't put a single coherent thought together.

"Oh..I...ah..you.. we..." No matter how hard she tried Buffy couldn't say a complete sentence. She knew she loved Willow more than life itself and she knew that she would do whatever it took to make the red haired girl with the bright green eyes happy. She also knew that nothing in this world would make her happier than to tell the world that she loved Willow Rosenberg.

So her answer was short easy and to the point. 

"Yes yes yes yes !" was Buffy's final word on the subject.